Chatham County commissioners approve budget amendments, establish multiple CIP projects including Coleman Courthouse and marine patrol facility

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a package of fiscal-year 2025 budget amendments and transfers that move general fund resources into the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and establish multiple projects.

The county manager presented the proposal, which included a transfer of $15,159 from community support to the CIP fund, an appropriation of fund balance of $12,500,000 to increase transfers into the CIP fund and several newly established projects: a Coleman Courthouse refurbishment project ($4,000,000); a marine patrol facility ($2,000,000); fire higher-quarters facilities and equipment projects ($5,000,000); a Highway 17 safety community center ($1,000,000); and a Hutchinson Island Riverwalk Slit 3 project ($500,000) listed for FY26.

Other items in the package included a transfer of $89,990 from financial operations to the CIP fund; a $120,000 transfer from information and communication services operating budget to CIP and the National OPLS Settlement Fund; and establishment of a time-and-attendance project funded by an increase in transfers. The board also approved moving $500,000 from CIP contingency to the time-and-attendance project and increasing state revenues by $131,538 to expand the LMIG engineering project.

Separately, the board transferred $200,352 from a library renovation project to establish a Carnegie Library renovation project and moved $2,500,000 from CIP contingency to a CEMA building project. The sales tax 3 fund was amended as listed in the packet.

A motion to approve was made and seconded; the board recorded the vote and the package was approved.